Rugby League Northland has confirmed Mark Freeman as its new Head Coach for the Northern Swords. A high performance coach originally from Queensland, Freeman is a passionate Northlander, having been Head Coach of Northland U18s between 2004 and 2008.

COACHES – MANAGERS – TRAINERS REQUIRED – In 2013 the Northern Swords were NZRL’s most improved zone, with the 17s finishing 3rd and the Premiers notching their first win ever. Rugby League in Northland is going through a massive transformation for the better. If you think you have something special to add, to help with this transformation and you believe in the “Brotherhood of League”, then we want to hear from you.

Information for the Aims Games – International Intermediate Tournament with Rugby League Nines. Last year we had three schools attend for League from Northland. Kaitaia, Whangaroa and Whangarei Intermediate. Whangarei Intermediate won this in 2012. It would be great to see Northland again take the title!

As the Northland Senior League season is just around the corner, Rugby League Northland has received a major boost with the securing of MulitKai Cookers as a naming rights sponsor for the RLN Premiership. From this point forward the RLN Premiership will be known as the RLN Multikai Cooker Premiership.

Corey Harawira-Naera made an impressive Holden Cup debut for the Penrith Panthers against Newcastle on Saturday. Although the defending champions did not get a win, Corey, who came off the bench in the second row in the second half, had a huge work rate and looked every bit a Holden Cup player.

The door of opportunity has opened for Tumoana Halkyard, as he has been invited to join the NZ Warriors Development Squad.

Tumoana, who has been a consistent performer for the Northern Swords for the past three years as well as being a NZRL 16s and 18s trialist, joins the Warriors after recently attending training sessions with a wider group of Northlanders as part of a “Warriors Experience.”